(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION P UBLISHED UNDE R THE PATENT COO PE RATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`12 July 2007 (12.07.2007)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`A24F 1124 (2006.0l)
`
`PCT
`
`(21) International Application Num ber:
`PCT/US2005/046546
`
`(22) International Filing Dale:
`22 December 2005 (22.1 2.2005)
`
`(25) F iling L anguage:
`
`(26) Publica lion Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated Swtes except US): AUGITE
`INCORPO RATIO N [US/US); 80 Wall Street, Suite 818,
`New York, NY l0005 (US).
`
`(72) Invenlor ; and
`(75) lnven tor/Applkant (for US only): LIU, Z hen ICN/CNl;
`3 Garden Road, Central 1-longkong (CN).
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111 111111111 11111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2007/078273 Al
`(81) Designatt>d States (unless otherwise indictlled. for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`A'l~ AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, liR, InJ, ID, IL, TN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, l.X, LU, LV,
`LY, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, fYr, RO, RU, SC, SD, SD, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, Tr, TZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated S tates (unless otherwise indicmed. for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, B[l, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, PI,
`FR, GB, GR, HU, ill, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, fYf,
`RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), Oi\PI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, Gi\,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NB, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`with intemational search report
`
`(74) Agents: CO STELLlA, .Jeffi·ey, L. el al.; Nixon Peabody
`LLP, 401 9th Street, N.w., Suite 900, Washington, DC
`20004 (US).
`
`For two-feller codes and other abbreviations. refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations"appearing at the begin·
`rzing of each regular issue of the PCT Gazelle.
`
`(54) Title: NO-TAR ELECTRONIC SMOKING UTENSILS
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`20
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`(57) A bstract: No-tar electronic smoking utensils includes a container (18) formed of a porous material for storing a liquid mixture.
`The container communicates with a heater vapouriscr (24) via a series of small apertures (28). The heater is in the form of a spir'ally
`-:::: wound electrical heater (26) mounted on an electrical insulating support. Ballery supply means are provided for the heater. The
`~ heater vapouriser communicates with a mouthpiece. Tn use, suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to be drawn through
`~ the porous container for liquid, over the heated vapouriser, into the mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user.
`t---(cid:173)
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0001
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT /U S2005/0-'6546
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`NO-TAR ELECTRONIC SMOKING UTENSILS
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to no-tar electronic smoking utensils
`
`such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars and cigarette holders.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`10
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`Cigarettes are well known in which one end of a tobacco filled
`cigarette is held in the mouth of the user and the other end of the
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`cigarette is ignited by a match or a lighter and the user draws on
`
`one end of the cigarette to draw the tobacco smoke through the
`cigarette into the mouth/lungs of the user. The health dangers of
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`15
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`tobacco smoking are well documented and many products have
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`appeared on the market in an attempt to assist smokers to cease
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`smoking tobacco products or to provide a more healthy tobacco
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`substitute.
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`20
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`One such product is a "flameless electronic atomising cigarette"
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`described in Malaysian patent application 03111582.9. The product
`
`is a non-combustible simulated cigarette and the user draws on one
`
`end of the "cigarette" to draw a nicotine vapour through the
`cigarette via a solution having a controlled amount of nicotine. The
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`25
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`lack of a flame avoids inhaling tar and other unhealthy tobacco
`
`products, and the user can also control the amount of nicotine
`
`inhaled. The nicotine mixture of the prior art electronic cigarette is
`
`pumped through the device and is atomised by the use of a high
`
`30
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`frequency generator, a piezoelectric ultrasonic atomiser and a high(cid:173)
`
`temperature gasification jet tube. The resulting vapour, lacking the
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0002
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`conventional tar and unhealthy by- products, but including a
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`controlled amount of nicotine, is inhaled by the user.
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`5
`
`10
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`15
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`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
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`It is an object of the present invention to provide a no-tar electronic
`
`smoking utensils which is a suitable alternative to known products
`
`and/or is of a simpler construction in comparison to known
`
`products.
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
`
`no-tar electronic smoking utensils including:
`
`a container for a liquid,
`a vapouriser including heater means adapted to vapourise the
`
`liquid,
`wherein air can be drawn by the suction of the user over the
`container and vapouriser to form a simulated smoke vapour.
`
`Preferably, in contrast to the above prior art device the
`vapourisation is effected solely or principally by the air distribution
`
`20
`
`through the container in combination with the heat from the heating
`
`means.
`
`Preferably, in contrast to the above prior art device the flow of fluids
`through the cigarette is caused solely or principally by the suction of
`
`25
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`the user.
`
`Thus, the simulated cigarette of the present invention is of a simpler
`
`construction, easier to manufacture and more cost effective than
`
`30
`
`the above prior art device.
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`2
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0003
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`

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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`Preferably, at least a portion of the container is formed of a porous
`
`material to facilitate distribution of the liquid through the container,
`
`prior to being fed to the heater means. Suitable materials include,
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`for example, foamed metal, foamed ceramic or special fibre.
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`5
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`In a preferred arrangement the heater means includes an electrical
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`heater mounted on an electrical insulating support, for example a
`
`spirally wound heater wire.
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`10 The liquid mixture may be formed from any suitable
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`materials/chemicals. The mixture could include a controlled amount
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`of nicotine, however the mixture need not include a nicotine
`
`content.
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`15
`
`Indicating/monitoring means may be included for the purpose of
`indicating a range of activities such as when a pre-set level of
`
`nicotine has been reached, when the unit is switched on or when
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`the liquid in the container is low.
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`20
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`In a preferred arrangement simulated tobacco is provided in the tip
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`end of the smoking article to give the article the appearance of a
`
`conventional smoking article.
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`The no-tar electronic smoking utensils preferably includes electrical
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`25
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`supply means, such as a battery, to supply power to the heater
`
`and/or the indicator means. In a preferred arrangement power
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`supply switch means are located adjacent the mouthpiece end of
`
`the cigarette, the power supply switch means being adapted to be
`
`activated by the lips of the user.
`
`30
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
`
`provided a simulated cigarette including a container formed of a
`
`3
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0004
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT/ US2005/0-165-16
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`porous material for storing a liquid mixture, the container
`
`communicating with a heater vapouriser via a series of apertures,
`
`said vapouriser including a spirally wound electrical heater mounted
`
`on an electrical insulating support, battery supply means for the
`
`5 heater, said heater vapouriser communicating with a mouthpiece,
`
`whereby in use, suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to ·
`
`be drawn through the porous container for liquid, over the heated
`
`vapouriser, into the mouthpiece an.d into the mouth of the user.
`
`10
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`SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION
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`In order to better understand the invention, an example will now be
`
`described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
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`15
`
`FIG 1 is an enlarged side view of a simulated cigarette constructed
`in accordance with the invention,
`
`FIG 2 is a cross- sectional side view of the simulated cigarette of
`FIG 1,
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`20
`
`FIG 3 is a tip end view of the simulated cigarette of FIG 1 looking in
`
`the direction of arrow X,
`
`FIG 4 is a mouthpiece end view of the simulated cigarette of FIG 1
`looking in the direction of arrow Y,
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`25
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`FIG 5 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the lines AA of FIG
`2,
`
`30
`
`FIG 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the lines BB of FIG
`2, and
`
`4
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0005
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`FIG 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical components of the
`
`example shown in FIG 1.
`
`Referring to FIG 1 of the example, the simulated cigarette is of the
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`5 general size and shape of a conventional elongated cylindrical
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`cigarette, having a tip end 2 and a mouthpiece end 4.
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`In broad terms, the simulated cigarette of the example is provided
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`with a container for a liquid mixture, a heater for vapourising the
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`10
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`liquid, apertures for passage of air/mixture vapour through the
`cigarette into the mouth of the user, and a battery for supplying
`
`power to the heater.
`
`Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, the simulated cigarette is provided with
`an outer casing 6. The tip end 2 of the casing 6 is provided with
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`15
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`simulated tobacco to give the simulated cigarette the appearance of
`
`a conventional cigarette. Modifications, such as choice and feel of
`materials, obvious to those skilled in the art, could also be made to
`
`give the simulated cigarette the look and feel of a conventional
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`20
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`cigarette.
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`Adjacent and inner the tip end 2 of the cigarette and mounted on
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`the cigarette casing 6 is a light emitting diode (LED) 8. The LED is
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`for the purpose of monitoring/indicating, amongst other things, the
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`25
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`level of liquid in the container and when a pre-set level of nicotine
`
`has been reached.
`
`Located inner and adjacent of the simulated tobacco is a printed
`circuit board (PCB) control unit 10 for controlling the electrics of the
`cigarette.
`
`30
`
`Adjacent and inner of the PCB 10, is a cylindrical battery chamber
`12 for housing a battery 14. The cigarette outer casing 6, adjacent
`
`5
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0006
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`the battery chamber 12 is provided with a plurality of apertures 16
`to permit entry of air into the battery chamber. Adjacent and inner
`
`of the battery chamber 12 is a cylindrical liquid container 18
`separated from the battery chamber by a dividing wall 20. The
`5 dividing wall 20 is provided with a plurality of apertures 22 to
`permit entry of air from the battery chamber into the liquid
`
`container.
`
`The container liquid mixture can be fed into the container 18 via a
`one-way valve (not shown) mounted through the wall of the
`cigarette casing 6. The liquid container 18 is formed of porous
`inorganic material. The porous material of the liquid container
`
`facilitates the distribution and the mixing of the air and liquid
`
`mixture.
`
`10
`
`15
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`A cylindrical vapouriser heater assembly housing 24 is mounted
`
`within a central bore provided in the mouthpiece end of the liquid
`container 18. The vapouriser heater assembly housing houses a
`heater wire 26 spirally wound on a central ceramic insulating rod.
`20 The walls of the heater housing 24 are provided with a plurality of
`apertures 28 to permit entry of the liquid/air from the liquid
`container 18 into the heater housing 24.
`
`Adjacent the mouthpiece end 4 of the cigarette and mounted on
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`25
`
`the cigarette outer casing 6 is a switch 30 activated, in use, by the
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`mouth of the user for the purpose of switching on the battery power
`
`supply.
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`As indicated above, the liquid of the container may contain any
`
`30
`
`suitable chemicals, and may be provided with or without nicotine.
`
`6
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0007
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`The approximate percentages of ingredients for a mixture
`
`containing nicotine are as follows:
`
`1,2 propylene glycol 81%, nicotine 7%, distilled water 6%, glycerol
`
`triacetin 5%, formic acid, acetic acid, acetol and fragrance etc. 1%.
`
`The approximate percentages of ingredients for a mixture without
`
`nicotine are as follows:
`1,2 propylene glycol 88%, distilled water 6%, glycerol triacetin 5%,
`
`formic acid, acetic acid, acetol and fragrance etc. 1%.
`
`5
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`10
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`In operation, the switch 30 is activated by the lips of the user
`
`touching the switch 30 thus switching on the battery power supply.
`
`As best seen in the electrical schematic diagram of FIG 7, battery
`power is supplied to the PCB control unit 10, the LED 8 and the
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`15
`
`vapouriser heater 26.
`
`As the user draws on the cigarette mouthpiece, air is drawn into the
`battery chamber, into the liquid container to mix with the liquid
`
`mixture, and into the heater assembly. The resulting vapour is
`
`drawn into the mouth of the user.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`7
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`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0008
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`wo 2007/078273
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`CLAIMS:
`
`PCT/US2005/046546
`
`1. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils including:
`a container for a liquid,
`
`5 a vapouriser including heater means adapted to vapourise the
`
`liquid,
`
`wherein air can be drawn by the suction of the user over the
`
`container and vapouriser to form a simulated smoke vapour.
`
`10
`
`2. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to Claim 1 wherein
`the vapourisation is effected solely or principally by the air
`
`distribution through the container in combination with the heat from
`
`the heating means.
`
`15
`
`3. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to Claim 1 or
`
`Claim 2 wherein the flow of fluids through the cigarette is caused
`
`solely or principally by the suction of the user.
`
`4. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any .preceding
`
`20
`
`claim wherein at least a portion of the container is formed of a
`porous material to facilitate distribution of the liquid through the
`
`container, prior to being fed to the heater means.
`
`5. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`claim wherein the heater means includes an electrical heater
`
`25
`
`mounted on an electrical insulating support.
`
`6. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim wherein the liquid includes a controlled amount of nicotine.
`
`30
`
`8
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0009
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT /U S2005/0-'6546
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`7. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim including indicator means for the purpose of indicating when a
`
`pre-set level of nicotine has been reached.
`
`5 8. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim including simulated tobacco at a first or tip end of the
`
`smoking article to give the article the appearance of a conventional
`
`smoking article.
`
`10
`
`9. A simulated cigarette according to any preceding claim including
`
`electrical supply means to supply power to the heater and/or the
`
`indicator means, power supply switch means located adjacent the
`second or mouthpiece end of the cigarette, said power supply
`
`switch means being adapted to be activated by the lips of the user.
`
`15
`
`10. A simulated cigarette including a container formed of a porous
`material for storing a liquid mixture, the container communicating
`with a heater vapouriser via a series of apertures, said vapouriser
`
`including a spirally wound electrical heater mounted on an electrical
`
`20
`
`insulating support, battery supply means for the heater, said heater
`vapouriser communicating with a mouthpiece, whereby in use,
`
`suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to be drawn
`
`through the porous container for liquid, over the heated vapouriser,
`
`into the mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`9
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0010
`
`

`
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`(FIG 4)
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`(FIG 5)
`ON A-A
`SECTION
`
`(FIG 6)
`ON B-B
`SECTION
`
`28
`
`20
`
`FIG 2
`
`(FIG 3)
`
`VIEW ON X
`
`(FIG 1)
`
`FRONT VIEW
`
`16
`
`6
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0011
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`2/2
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`PCT/US2005/046546
`
`+ .o-------1
`
`r
`
`FIG 7
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0012
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`International application No.
`
`PCTIUSOS/46546
`
`A.
`IPC.
`
`ClASSifiCATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
`,\ 24 F 01/24
`
`usrc:
`1311 194,329,347
`According to International Patent Cla~sification (I PC) or to both national classification and !PC
`
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`B.
`Minimum documentation searched (classitication sy.stem lolluwed byclas.~ilication "ymbols)
`u.s.: 131 1194,329,347
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documeniJltion to the extent that such documents arc included in the liclds searched
`
`Electronic data base oonsultcd during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
`
`c.
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO l3E RELEVANT
`Citation of docu ment, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages
`Catc!;UfY •
`X
`US 4,947.874 A (BROOKS et al ) 14 Aul,lust 1990 ( 14.08. 1990), sec entire document.
`-
`y
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`1-5
`---
`6-10
`
`D Fun her documents arc listed in the continuation of 13ux C. D
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`(tf.llt;:r awl ~eauou (,If p;tlC'nt publiShed Or\ or ;d\er the lnt.:mauon:\1 flllf'l8 ttnc
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`dOCUinent W'htch rmy throw rlottht.' ()1'1 pr;only claan•'' or wh..idt n crh;d to
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`
`;joo;oornatl pubhshcd pn<>r IO the lll<llllliO,.I rd~ dale bu< lat<r li\IIIIUoC
`monty dale c:lom:d
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`Sec patent t:m1ily annex.
`l11t~r document P'~bft\he.d after the ull.:llt.aliOtldl f&Ja\gdale or pnonty
`dale amJ lkX ll COunrct wdh the &ppl~3110ft btJ C:ncd 10u.ncit.rJ1Md th~
`pflnc:iplc: ur ~oc:o<y tnJctlyiMg tJ.o rwc:ntoou
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`d()IIC\Urt~:lll uf pw-hcul::u- tdeY:lnCc, lht cl"tmcd llVcnhon eannot b.:
`cc>t••dcrcd novel or C:u"l:\ot he comitkred ro ltwolvc: atl inventive stcv
`'ftttcn the rloeumcnt is taken • lone
`
`document of p1v-1 ieular rcl~vw•ce~ l.h~ chtancd cnvcntton cannot be
`consulc:rui to uwolv..:. an uwentiw :sh:p wh~n 1.he. documerll a comb1ncd
`with Ofl( or mOJc ol.hcr such du<:utucn\S, such ccrnblll:nton bcu<tg
`obYoOUJ IO• p•:rwn skilled., the an
`
`dOCUII~Ht lnCU!Ixr- oft.hc S..'\llle Jl-'liCnt r1111n~y
`
`D-.11e of the :~ctu:ll completion of the International search
`
`22 Muv 2006 !22.05.2006)
`Nume and mailing address of the lS/vUS
`~L1il SlOp PCT. A un: ISNt:S
`Conunissionc:r for l'alcnt~
`P.O. Box I ~5U
`llcxandri>. Virgirua 12313·1 HO
`Facsuntlc No. 157112H-3201
`-Form I'Cf ISA.210 I second sheetliApnl 2005)
`
`Date of mailing of1he International sc:~rch repon
`
`27 11/N 1n1l~
`..,.,__
`v LcL-f~ J-[(__C_ '-/
`Authorized olliccr
`Dionne Walls Ma:vcs -~ ~ .
`~c--..
`T de phone No. ( 571) 272-1'11 0
`
`JTI Exhibit 1008, Page 0013